FSU Basketball: Top 4 Reasons Noles Have Dominated Early Season

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Dec 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jarquez Smith (23) and guards Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) and Trent Forrest (3) and PJ Savoy (in back) and Dwayne Bacon (4) celebrate after their game against the Florida Gators at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles won 83-78. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /

Can they keep it up?

Some may still question whether this Florida State team is for real, or just a product of an extremely easy slate of games so far. Their strength of schedule is so bad that it ranks 236th in the country, according to KenPom.

But there are reasons to believe that these Seminoles can sustain their level of play. For starters, they already have a couple of “good wins” that will help them come March. They beat an Illinois team that, like FSU, is now 10-1. They also passed their first big test of the year, beating a Florida team that came to Tallahassee ranked 23rd in the country.

And even though they have played some… “not so good” teams, they’ve done exactly what they are supposed to do against those teams. And that’s win. By a lot. Their average margin of victory this season against teams from non-Power 6 Conferences has been an absurd 30 points per contest. They’ve played inferior competition sure, but they’ve destroyed it too.

FSU’s level of experience is also a positive for their potential to keep this going. The core of the team — Bacon, Mayes, Mann, and Ojo, among others — have all gone through ACC play before. They know what to expect.

They got off to a solid start last season, only to have it undone by their poor record in conference. Mayes cited a lack of togetherness and leadership on last year’s team. And Bacon has seemed to step up in that role, according to the Tallahassee Democrat:

"“Not trying to be cocky or anything, but I want to be the leader and lead these guys the right way. I’m not taking any [expletive] this year. I’m going to hold the guys accountable just like I want them to hold me accountable.”"

Leadership, scoring, experience, a tougher defense, and quality depth… these Seminoles seems to have a bit of everything. Despite a ridiculous conference schedule, which includes them playing five top-20 teams in a six-game span, this team will surprise some people.

Florida State will qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but I do have one final question of the team: how high of a seed are they going to get?

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